Film Types & Formats A brief and personal explanation of the bewildering choice (to the uninitiated!) of film formats, types and scans. Film Formats: 35mm Why: The most economical, giving the maximum number of shots per roll of film. When: Simple action/reportage/flash on camera situations. Pros: Spontaneous. Very portable. Suitability: Public Relations, Location and Reportage work. Cons: Lowest reproduction quality. Difficult to view. No Polaroid tests. 120 or Medium Format Why: The common standard for commercial use. 10-12 frames per roll. When: High quality reproduction is expected. Pros: Larger negs/trans. Polaroid previews with instant appraisal of shot. Suitability: Studio and Location. Advertising, industrial and commercial. Cons: Higher film usage than 35mm. Not very spontaneous and slower. 5 x 4 Large Format Why: Highest quality required. Finest detail and selective focus. When: Control of perspective required. Also, in studio for special effects. Pros: Total control of perspective. Highly creative. Suitability: Studio and especially architecture. Cons: Very slow to use. Expensive in both time and materials. Film Types: Transparencies (commonly referred to as ‘trans’ or in the case of 35mm, slides.) Why: Commercial standard. First Generation image. When: Multi-use. Brochures, audio/visual and public relations. Pros: Positive images. True representation of colours. Fastest turnaround. Cons: More expensive to produce prints from. Handle with care. Colour Negative & Prints Why: Very versatile When: Public Relations. Mixed or difficult lighting. Pros: Colour or B&W Prints can be obtained from same negatives. Cons: Colour matching difficult. Proofs or 1st run prints required. B&W Negative and Prints Why: Black and white only required. When: Good for portrait and landscape work Pros: High quality hand finished B&W prints. Special toning effects. Cons: Need contact sheet to order. Digital Capture Why: Direct to computer. No film required. When: Web sites and brochures. Pros: Fast, instant manipulation. Cons: Colour not always accurate. Quality better on film when large prints required.